SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A LANDMARK

• US 20100152566A1
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Ricci, William M., Grusin, Nathaniel Kelley, Austin, Gene Edward, Ritchey, Nicholas S., Rains, James K., Faber, Henry B., Schwägli, Tobias
• Granted Patent: US 8,739,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/409
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1707 using electromagnetic effects, e.g. with magnet and external sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1725 for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/72 Intramedullary pins, nails or other devices A61B17/744 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3958 emitting a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/397 electromagnetic other than visible, e.g. microwave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints

Abstract

A system (10, 110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (16, 116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopaedic implant (30, 130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (31) and a first magnetic sensor (32) spaced apart from the landmark, a landmark identifier (18, 118) with a second magnetic sensor (20, 120) and a processor (12, 112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a landmark, the system comprising:

a. a field generator for generating a magnetic field;

b. an orthopaedic implant located within the magnetic field, the orthopaedic implant having at least one landmark and a longitudinal groove with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

c. a first magnetic sensor mounted to the orthopaedic implant at the distal end portion of the longitudinal groove and spaced apart from the at least one landmark a set distance;

d. a landmark identifier having a second magnetic sensor; and

e. a processor for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the landmark is selected from the group consisting of a structure, a void, a boss, a channel, a detent, a flange, a groove, a member, a partition, a step, an aperture, a bore, a cavity, a dimple, a duct, a gap, a notch, an orifice, a passage, a slit, a hole, or a slot.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic implant is an intramedullary nail.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic implant has an outer surface, an inner surface forming a cannulation, and a wall there between, and the first magnetic sensor is mounted within the wall.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic Implant further comprises a pocket and the first sensor is located within the pocket.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic implant further comprises a cover.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic implant further comprises a second opening adapted to receive a cover.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an insertion handle removably attached to the orthopaedic implant.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a monitor electrically connected to the processor

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal groove is along an outer surface of the implant.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic implant further comprises a cannulation, and the longitudinal groove is generally adjacent the cannulation.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a removable lead connected to the first sensor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the landmark identifier comprises a drill sleeve.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the landmark identifier further comprises a serrated tip.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor provides feedback information to a user.

16. A method for identifying a landmark, the method comprising:

a. providing an orthopaedic implant assembly having an orthopaedic implant with a longitudinal groove and a removable lead having a magnetic sensor attached thereto situated within the longitudinal groove, the orthopaedic implant having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and at least one landmark on the distal end portion;

b. implanting the orthopaedic implant assembly in a patient;

c. first installing transfixion elements in the proximal end portion;

d. identifying the at least one landmark using a landmark identifier;

e. installing a transfixion element in the at least one landmark in the distal end portion after first installing transfixion elements in the proximal end portion; and

f. removing the removable lead.

17. A graphical user interface, comprising:

a. a first portion indicating drill depth relative to an implant; and

b. a second portion indicating landmark identifier position relative to a landmark located on the implant.

18. A system for identifying a landmark, the system comprising:

a. a field generator for generating a magnetic field;

b. an orthopaedic implant located within the magnetic field, the orthopaedic implant having at least One landmark;

c. an insertion handle removably attached to the orthopaedic implant;

c. a first magnetic sensor placed within the orthopaedic implant at a distal end portion and spaced apart from the at least one landmark a set distance;

d. a landmark identifier having a second magnetic sensor; and

e. a processor for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark, wherein the first magnetic sensor is connected to the processor via the insertion handle.